Seeking the stories of our women

BALLARAT Cemetery are collating the stories of one-hundred and fifty women over one-hundred and fifty years, and they are seeking your input.

Gathering the histories of the city’s important people is well underway with notable women across many different fields already included.

The effort is part of the organisation’s centenary-and-a-half celebrations and Sarah Lia is Chair of the Community Advisory Committee.

“There are some wonderful stories coming through, of everyday women who have made a contribution to Ballarat in a big or small way,” she said.

“They are truly the fabric of what Ballarat’s foundations are built upon. Women who loved, laughed and lived in our streets, next door to us, who made an impact on lives and their families and loved ones.”

People are encouraged to detail their family’s amazing women who rest at the New Ballarat Cemetery by completing the online form.

The information will be published as part of the project for the Ballarat Cemetery.

“It’s a very easy form to complete to capture the details of your special lady and I encourage you to take 10 minutes to recognise your inspirational woman for our 150 Years of 150 Women,” Ms Lia said.

Already included are the stories are of wellknown figures identified by the Cemetery.

Women like entrepreneurs Eleanor Lucas, Matilda Thompson and Mary Sutton, artists Helen Noonan, Gertrude Healy, Alma Matthews and Rosalie Bonighton, educators Mother Bonaventure and Mother Hilda, political activists and politicians such as Aileen Palmer, Mary Morrison, Jessie Scott and Karen Overington, and health care reformers Alice Pittard and Helen Gardiner.

For more information visit the Ballarat Cemeteries website – ballaratcemeteries.com.au.